Could A Used Audi RS Car Be The Ultimate Path To Awesomeness?

In the US market, Audi Sport, formerly Quattro GmbH, doesn't seem to garner the same hyper as BMW M and Mercedes AMG. Perhaps this is because so few Audi RS models have actually been brought over to the US. Since Audi RS cars aren't as well-remembered as their M and AMG counterparts, they have become great values on the used market. Here are six used Audi RS cars that we'd buy at their current values.

Audi released the RS7 back in 2014, and it was the first time the company sold a mid-size RS car in the US since the RS6 back in 2003 (we sadly missed the twin-turbo V10 model). The RS7 was the sleeker cousin to the RS6 Avant, and was powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 560 horsepower. When it was new, the RS7 has a price of over $105,000, but can now be had starting at around $60,000. Audi quoted 0-60 at 3.5 seconds, but several tests clocked even faster times. The acceleration was so savage, the back end of the car would actually squat down when using launch control.

The RS5 coupe is one of the more recent models on this list. Audi introduced the RS5 in 2013 as a long-awaited replacement for the RS4 (sadly, the RS4 Avant didn't make it alongside the coupe in the US). Unlike the B7 generation RS4, which only came with a manual transmission, the RS5 was dual-clutch only in the US. Audi sold a coupe and a convertible, both of which came with a 4.2-liter V8 pumping out 450 hp. Like the E9X generation M3, the RS5 was a high revving V8, which made an incredible noise. Prices now start at under $30,000, and well-kept examples can be had for around $36,000.

The Audi TT is often criticized for its Volkswagen Golf underpinnings, but the car really shines in its RS trim. Audi unveiled the first TT RS for the 2013 model year, powered by a unique 2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder with 360 hp. The US TT RS was manual only, and the car can be made incredibly fast with a tune and a few parts. The TT RS has held its value incredibly well, so prices haven't dropped below $30,000. This means you probably won't lose money in depreciation with the TT RS.

If we had to choose a favorite on this list, it would be the B7 Audi RS4. The RS4 sold for just two model years (2007 and 2008) as a sedan and a convertible. Both were powered by a 4.2-liter V8 producing 420 hp going through a six-speed manual transmission. RS4 prices have been incredibly steady because fewer than 2,000 were imported to the US. High mileage examples start at around $20,000, but nicer examples start around the mid-$30,000 range. If you want the best value, go for the sedan, which is faster and likely more collectible.

Audi introduced the first RS model for the US back in 2003. The RS6 was only sold in the 2003 model year, right as the E39 BMW M5 was leaving production. It was powered by a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 450 hp, which was massive at the time. Starting at around $13,000, the RS6 is by far the cheapest option on this list, but its age and questionable maintenance costs may be enough to scare off most buyers.

The RS2 was the first RS car ever produced back in 1994. It was codeveloped with Porsche, and was powered by a 2.2-liter turbo five-cylinder producing 311 hp going out to a six-speed manual. When it was new, the RS2 was one of the quickest cars in the world, arguably making it the most badass wagon of all time. Only 2,891 were ever produced, and it was never sold in the US. RS2s won't be eligible to import to the US until 2019, but prices have already risen to well above $50,000.